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Lynda Bedford
BA (Hons) PsychologyPGCE7 years experience as a Primary
School Teacher9 years experience as a teacher at a pre-school20
years experience of running 2 weekly toddler groups (0 - 4 years)
and a youth group (6-12 years) on a voluntary basis at Bethel
Church - Wide experience of managing a diverse team of
volunteers
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Mike Bedford
BSc (Hons) Civil EngineeringPGCE
After a short career as a civil engineer I have been teaching
maths to young people for some 30 years and the subject continues
to fascinate me. I enjoy working with young people and have been
involved in church-based youth and childrens work for many years. I
am married to Lynda and we have three children, two of whom are
currently at University. I am a keen sportsman and particularly
enjoy playing and watching football.
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David Hill (Founder and Trustee) - With a
background in Chemistry, I left Southampton and married Lynda in
1990 where we moved to Northwich and have since stayed within the
area. I work for the Health and Safety Executive based in Buxton,
where my main role currently is risk assessment and computer
programming and project management.
Starting the charity has been challenging to say the least but
also extremely rewarding. It's a privilege to be able to put time
into the project and see it progress. We are so thankful for
everyone's support and enthusiasm!
I love music and enjoy dabbling at the piano or cornet (but this
is when the children go for the ear plugs!!)
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Gwyn Parry - I love bridges and reservoirs and
buildings - in fact anything that Civil Engineers are involved in -
except sewers. After 16years in Engineering and Project Management
I left the industry and went to Bible College and studied Applied
Theology. Just over three years ago, I was ordained and became the
pastor of a church in Kinmel Bay, North Wales.
I am married to Eunice - a musician - and have two teenage sons,
Aled - who loves computers - and Joel - a drummer. My means of
escape from everybody and everything is a motorbike and books; but
not at the same time you understand. The long winding roads of the
Conwy valley and Snowdonia are a joy to behold!
The Joshua Tree vision is just superb - we are called by God to
help the vulnerable - and what better way to fulfill that call than
to build this fabulous centre. It is a privilege indeed to be on
board.
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Mel Plant - I trained as a teacher of modern
languages and enjoy combining that with my more recent role as
Special Needs Coordinator in my school. It has been a great
pleasure to be involved with the Joshua Tree and amazing to see
just how many people have been inspired to help us.
For me, one of the high points so far, was seeing a rainbow over
the land on the day we chose to go for that particular site. I love
gardening and green spaces so I'm looking forward to doing some
serious planting when the time comes. Rob has also grown some baby
oaks (planted in the year The Joshua Tree Project was born), which
we hope to transfer to the site.
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Rob Plant - I am a practising architect and, as
such, have a keen interest in the design and sustainability of The
Joshua Tree Project. A cancer survivor myself, I am also more than
aware of the role of beautiful spaces and natural surroundings in
the healing process. It is a real privilege to be part of the
project and we are very excited about the potential of the site,
which is not far from where we live.
I also love cycling (to and from work mostly), playing around with
the spaces in my own house and helping to run our church youth
group. Our own four children keep us pretty busy but that's also a
joy as, at one time, cancer had significantly reduced our chances
of having a family at all. Amazing how things turn out!
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Peter Smith - Lynda & Dai's faith and
vision for the Joshua Tree has touched many hearts and minds. This
has resulted in a charity that is moving at a pace and has gained
momentum beyond our wildest dreams.
Like the other Directors I feel privileged to be a part of a team
whose goal is to realise a holiday house and support centre for
courageous kids and their families.
I am married to Diane and we have two daughters. I have spent half
my career in advertising design and the other in a creative retail
environment. The latter being one of the largest companies on
Merseyside where for several years I served on the charity
committee who substantially supported disadvantaged young people
and families facing crisis.
My passion is for photography and if I had my time over I would
strive to be a photojournalist. Norman Rockwell is my favourite
illustrator who held up a friendly mirror to the American society
in which he lived. I attempt to keep myself physically fit by long
distance running and it gives me valuable thinking time.
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Diane Wright - After spending over 20 years in
marketing in large consumer goods organisations the arrival of my
second child gave me the opportunity to rethink my career and I
made the move into Higher Education to become a lecturer in
marketing. I am now Head of Business and Management at the Cheshire
Faculty of Manchester Metropolitan University.
A real interest of mine which is part of my job is offering
support and advice to women starting up their own business and with
a colleague I run an organisation called 'MizBiz'. I am studying
for a PhD related to this area.
With two teenage daughters (Chloe and Lucy) life becomes very busy
but being involved with the Joshua Tree puts this 'busy-ness' into
perspective. Seeing what Lynda and Dai have done to take the Joshua
Tree forward following Josh's illness has touched many people
causing them to reflect on the important things in life. The Joshua
Tree has already made a tremendous impact even before the building
work starts; I can't wait to see what will happen when the Joshua
Tree Holiday Home opens its doors
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